February is often thought to be a time for romance because of Valentine’s Day. I’ve been pleased that in the last several years many single people have gotten together to celebrate being single, which can be the most empowering state to be in.
Whether you are in a relationship or not, take a day to love yourself and appreciate who you are. If you are not feeling confident about yourself, try the exercises below because you are worthy of loving yourself first and foremost.
First of all, understand that you do not have to think you are perfect. None of us is perfect. Unfortunately, many times people tend to absorb and remember hurtful or thoughtless things that people have said about them—even those things from childhood that are in no way relevant now. People often remember the hurt and pain, often when they don’t even remember the words. The message they carry is, “You are not enough.”
Unfortunately, people frequently don’t remember, or hear, the kind things that people say about them. Or they sluff the comment off, rather than hold onto it and embrace it. I don’t know each of you who is reading this exercise, but I do know that every one of you is an individual who has some wonderful traits that are valued by others in your life. Acknowledge the positive things people say about you.
Pay attention to what you say when someone compliments you. For example, when someone thanks you for something you’ve done, do you ignore the comment or say, “it was nothing”? Every time you ignore or downplay a compliment you disempower yourself.
Exercise: For 1 month, or 1 week, or 1 day listen to when people thank you, or compliment you. Or compliment you on a job well done. Write down the positive comments to reinforce them. Those are words of praise that make up a large part of who you are.
The person with the potential to know you better than anyone else is yourself. Look at the list of compliments you’ve recorded, and then add other attributes that you know are your strengths. Embrace what is good and wonderful about who you are.
When you love yourself, in spite of your faults, you will find more love in your life. Loving yourself is being an empowered self.
